Hidalgo County, TX

ZIP 78538

In ZIP 78538, 5 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: North Alamo Wsc meets every EPA legal limit; 13 contaminants are above health goals, led by lithium at 3.8× the USGS health-based screening level.
• Nearest Superfund site: Donna Reservoir and Canal System, 9.9 miles away.
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Ge Engine Services Mcallen LP (90%), mostly cobalt.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 8.4 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 764,635 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 78538

• Superfund sites nearbyA to C
• Factories and industrial sitesB to C
• Oil and gas wellsC to F
• Parks and nature nearbyC to F
• Air qualityC to D
• Drinking water qualityC
• Pesticide useF
• Neighborhood health statusC to F
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsA
• Noise levelsA
• Radiation signalsB

Based on 9 census tracts · compiled October 25, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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